If you are a parent then more than likely the Washington D.C. area will be on your bucket list of places to visit. I fell in love with the area on a recent visit and discovered it is a destination that I would like to visit more often. There is so much to see. No doubt traffic can be a pain to get there once you get close to the city, but from Raleigh, N.C, it really is possible to go for a weekend or better yet, a three-day weekend.
When I planned my D.C. trip, I wanted to get a feel of different hotel locations in the city. After polling my Facebook community's wants, I was challenged with finding a luxury hotel property that was outside of D.C. where a family's travel dollars could go a little further per night than at a luxury hotel in the city. I want to remind you that I'm talking about luxury experiences for a good nightly rate, not hotel rates in general. However on that topic, I will add that even upscale full-service/ limited-service hotels are more expensive per night in the city limits of D.C. than if you stayed in Virginia or Maryland. Staying outside Washington D.C, I discovered that you can stay in a luxury property for a better rate than perhaps at non-luxury hotels like Marriot Courtyard, Hyatt Place, or Doubletree by Hilton that are located within the city limits, depending on the time of your travels.
Luxury Experiences at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City
The Ritz-Carlton brand already has a reputation for luxury so that was a good place to start on my quest. The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City is in a fabulous location in Pentagon City, within Arlington, Virginia. Shopping and restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel (like right next door), and the Metro is right outside its door. The Smithsonian stop is about a 10 to 15-minute trip from the hotel on the metro. Arlington National Cemetary is just two stops away.
With the Family Getaway Package, families receive four complimentary metro passes daily, breakfast daily for two adults and two children, a complimentary in-room movie, and late check-out based on availability. Rates for this start at $294 per weekend night.
What is the Luxury Experience?
The luxury experience is when you check-in and can get champagne. Your kids have their own Ritz-check-in.
The luxury experience is when you walk into your suite and the hotel has a surprise for your kids. They have a whole cookie decorating station in front of them.
The luxury experience is a bathroom that the entire family could fit in then you invite an elephant, too.
The luxury experience is the pastry chef hosting a candy making display in the lobby for guests to enjoy.
The luxury experience is a breakfast buffet fit for a royal family in the Fyve Dining Room with smoked salmon and made to order omelets. The chef also brings out bear-shaped pancakes to make a little girl's morning.
The luxury hotel experience almost always includes afternoon tea. I have that tea story on Examiner.com.
The luxury hotel experience is having the space to enjoy gourmet room service while watching a movie. It may be a $12 burger, but you can count on it being a good one.
Truthfully, I could go on about this, but you get the idea. Yes, luxury does cost more, but sometimes there is value in that price for the experience you receive.
If given the choice of paying $294 per night for a stay in the Ritz-Carlton vs. the same price for a Courtyard Marriott in the city, where you still have to ride the metro to get all over the city or else your feet will fall off then I know what I'm choosing. Parking costs are also more in the city limits as well.
The Ritz-Carlton Club Level Experience
We were placed on a club level floor for our stay in a 750 sq ft/ Executive Suite, which consisted of a king bedroom and living room with a pull-out sofa bed. This was my first time experiencing the club level amenities of culinary presentations throughout the day along with complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It is a fabulous experience, and of course, more costly per night than regular room rates. I think it would really be beneficial for resort vacation stays. For quick city stays, where you are on the go or staying on a package that includes breakfast, it may not be worth the extra splurge. Club level room rates include access for two adults then each child is $25 extra per day and another adult is $50 per day. On a quick October weekend rate check for this story, rates for club level in an Executive suite like ours was $529 per night, and a club level room with a king or two queens was $379. I joked with Will and said, "once you go club level, it's hard to go back." That lounge is like heaven for a foodie. We were only there for one night, but I think I could have moved in, and in my mind, I kept picturing myself in a resort setting. (Think Grand Cayman or St. Thomas. Those links will help you get some visual if you need them) .
On a personal note, the pastry chef makes the best coconut macaroons. They were so good.
About the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon
The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City is the oldest Ritz in the Washington D.C. area, and even though it was beautiful when I visited, it's about to get a fresh facelift. Rooms and the club lounge will be undergoing renovations in the future. The Family Getaway package is only available on weekends.
Want to Go:
Book Direct with Marriott and Save. Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City
1250 South Hayes Street
Arlington, Virginia
Book Directly with Hotels.com
Disclosure: All opinions about this property including the macaroons and how club-level at a resort would be dreamy, are all my own. And I didn't touch on it in this piece, but this hotel property also has an indoor pool. It is a good size for a city pool, and it has a lifeguard on duty. Because of the pool for the kids, and the fact, Pentagon City serves afternoon tea, this was my favorite D.C. property I visited for the luxury value it offered. I was a media guest of the property and did have my own expenses while at the property. Affiliate links are in this post.
When I planned my D.C. trip, I wanted to get a feel of different hotel locations in the city. After polling my Facebook community's wants, I was challenged with finding a luxury hotel property that was outside of D.C. where a family's travel dollars could go a little further per night than at a luxury hotel in the city. I want to remind you that I'm talking about luxury experiences for a good nightly rate, not hotel rates in general. However on that topic, I will add that even upscale full-service/ limited-service hotels are more expensive per night in the city limits of D.C. than if you stayed in Virginia or Maryland. Staying outside Washington D.C, I discovered that you can stay in a luxury property for a better rate than perhaps at non-luxury hotels like Marriot Courtyard, Hyatt Place, or Doubletree by Hilton that are located within the city limits, depending on the time of your travels.
Luxury Experiences at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City
The Ritz-Carlton brand already has a reputation for luxury so that was a good place to start on my quest. The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City is in a fabulous location in Pentagon City, within Arlington, Virginia. Shopping and restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel (like right next door), and the Metro is right outside its door. The Smithsonian stop is about a 10 to 15-minute trip from the hotel on the metro. Arlington National Cemetary is just two stops away.
With the Family Getaway Package, families receive four complimentary metro passes daily, breakfast daily for two adults and two children, a complimentary in-room movie, and late check-out based on availability. Rates for this start at $294 per weekend night.
What is the Luxury Experience?
The luxury experience is when you check-in and can get champagne. Your kids have their own Ritz-check-in.
The luxury experience is when you walk into your suite and the hotel has a surprise for your kids. They have a whole cookie decorating station in front of them.
The luxury experience is a bathroom that the entire family could fit in then you invite an elephant, too.
The luxury experience is the pastry chef hosting a candy making display in the lobby for guests to enjoy.
The luxury experience is a breakfast buffet fit for a royal family in the Fyve Dining Room with smoked salmon and made to order omelets. The chef also brings out bear-shaped pancakes to make a little girl's morning.
The luxury hotel experience almost always includes afternoon tea. I have that tea story on Examiner.com.
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| Posted on @Hinessightblog Instagram: Feeling Spoiled. Afternoon Tea at Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City is fabulous. They won me over with the currant scones. #RCMemories #washingtonDC #pentagoncity |
The luxury hotel experience is having the space to enjoy gourmet room service while watching a movie. It may be a $12 burger, but you can count on it being a good one.
Truthfully, I could go on about this, but you get the idea. Yes, luxury does cost more, but sometimes there is value in that price for the experience you receive.
If given the choice of paying $294 per night for a stay in the Ritz-Carlton vs. the same price for a Courtyard Marriott in the city, where you still have to ride the metro to get all over the city or else your feet will fall off then I know what I'm choosing. Parking costs are also more in the city limits as well.
The Ritz-Carlton Club Level Experience
We were placed on a club level floor for our stay in a 750 sq ft/ Executive Suite, which consisted of a king bedroom and living room with a pull-out sofa bed. This was my first time experiencing the club level amenities of culinary presentations throughout the day along with complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It is a fabulous experience, and of course, more costly per night than regular room rates. I think it would really be beneficial for resort vacation stays. For quick city stays, where you are on the go or staying on a package that includes breakfast, it may not be worth the extra splurge. Club level room rates include access for two adults then each child is $25 extra per day and another adult is $50 per day. On a quick October weekend rate check for this story, rates for club level in an Executive suite like ours was $529 per night, and a club level room with a king or two queens was $379. I joked with Will and said, "once you go club level, it's hard to go back." That lounge is like heaven for a foodie. We were only there for one night, but I think I could have moved in, and in my mind, I kept picturing myself in a resort setting. (Think Grand Cayman or St. Thomas. Those links will help you get some visual if you need them) .
On a personal note, the pastry chef makes the best coconut macaroons. They were so good.
About the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon
The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City is the oldest Ritz in the Washington D.C. area, and even though it was beautiful when I visited, it's about to get a fresh facelift. Rooms and the club lounge will be undergoing renovations in the future. The Family Getaway package is only available on weekends.
Want to Go:
Book Direct with Marriott and Save. Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City
1250 South Hayes Street
Arlington, Virginia
Book Directly with Hotels.com
Disclosure: All opinions about this property including the macaroons and how club-level at a resort would be dreamy, are all my own. And I didn't touch on it in this piece, but this hotel property also has an indoor pool. It is a good size for a city pool, and it has a lifeguard on duty. Because of the pool for the kids, and the fact, Pentagon City serves afternoon tea, this was my favorite D.C. property I visited for the luxury value it offered. I was a media guest of the property and did have my own expenses while at the property. Affiliate links are in this post.
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